Marine Wildlife Stranding Coordinator ($23.00 – $35.00 /Hr.)
Description
Fisheries Immersed Sciences Hawaii, Inc. (FISH) is a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) skilled in fisheries observation, marine biology, island coastal resource management, scientific research, and innovative technology. As part of our ongoing growth and expansion, we are seeking to hire Marine Wildlife Response Specialists, to support an upcoming long-term contract that we are bidding on. This position supports the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) in coordinating responses to marine wildlife strandings and related activities across the Hawaii Islands.
(This will be a contingent position, based upon contract award). FISH will be operating under FLOAT – A “Fish” and “Lynker” Ocean Alliance Team – a Joint Venture Prime contract holder for NOAA ProTech Fisheries*. This is a part-time / on-call position.
Location
This is an on-site position, requiring the selected candidate to report to one of the designated NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) locations in Hawaii—specifically on Oahu, Kauai, Hawaii or Maui.
Oahu – Work may be performed both off-site for field response and on-site at NOAA facilities (office space is provided for one contractor). On Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Island, work is conducted off-site, including field response and administrative tasks. Some duties may be supported remotely, with schedules and remote work arrangements subject to project needs and government approval.
Key Responsibilities
You will serve as a crucial member of Hawaii’s marine wildlife emergency response and outreach network. Responsibilities range from receiving and triaging hotline reports, leading field responses to live and deceased marine animals (including monk seals and sea turtles), supporting post-mortem examinations, managing data entry and reporting, overseeing equipment/supplies, and helping deliver effective public outreach to raise awareness of protected species.
Duties of the Marine Wildlife Response Specialist may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Receive, document, and assess marine wildlife incident calls (stranding, haul-out, entanglement, injury, death) via hotline, email, or from partner agencies.
- Dispatch, coordinate, and provide field response: secure scenes, establish safety perimeters, extract/deploy marine wildlife, conduct animal care prior to veterinary staff arrival, and transport deceased animals for necropsy.
- Ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) for all response activities.
- Collect field data, photographic and biological samples, and enter detailed records into NOAA systems—including Level A forms and monk seal databases.
- Assist or coordinate logistics for post-mortem necropsy, sample processing, and carcass storage/disposal, as needed.
- Conduct or participate in meetings, training, and network coordination with NOAA, University of Hawaii, volunteers, and partner agency staff.
- Maintain and inventory response equipment and supplies, ensuring readiness for rapid deployment.
- Support public engagement and outreach through educational activities (booths, classroom events, community fairs), distributing NOAA-approved information and addressing questions from beachgoers, fishers, and ocean tour operators.
- Erect temporary signage or barriers around Hawaiian monk seals during haul-outs to ensure public safety and minimize disturbance.
- Track and report all activities, issues encountered, and accomplishments in regular (often monthly) progress reports to NOAA.
- Strictly adhere to NMFS/NOAA policies, data privacy/confidentiality requirements, and operational timelines—such as rapid response and report deadlines.
- Maintain readiness for on-call fieldwork across the islands—work can occur any day of the week, often outside standard office hours.
Requirements & Minimum Experience
- Required:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Experience with field work/field logistics in Hawaii, ideally in wildlife, resource management, or marine settings.
- Data entry experience; proficiency in MS Office and Google Suite applications.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical reporting and public engagement.
- Ability to gather and document detailed, accurate information under tight time constraints.
- Experience working with, organizing, or supporting volunteer teams.
- Wildlife management or environmental response experience, particularly in Hawaii or a similar setting.
- Conservation-oriented public outreach or education experience.
- Valid driver’s license (and willingness to take required Government Defensive Driving training if necessary).
Preferred:
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in biology, marine science, conservation, environmental science, or similar field.
- Previous experience with stranding response, rescue, or necropsy for marine mammals or sea turtles.
- Familiarity with federal natural resource and endangered species program administration (ESA, MMPA).
- Experience in federal contract or grant environments, including financial tracking or administrative support.
- Comfort with on-call, variable, and sometimes physically challenging work schedules in Hawai’i field conditions.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and follow data security protocols.
- Knowledge and expertise of NMFS policies and programs, as well as planning and Federal financial management and operations.
About FISH
FISH is a growing, woman owned small business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. FISH, a trusted provider of resource management solutions, was established by a passionate marine and fisheries scientist who calls Hawaii her home and is driven by a profound commitment to the betterment of the marine ecosystem. FISH is a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) endowed with a diverse set of proficiencies in fisheries observation, marine biology, island coastal resource management, scientific research, policy and permitting, human dimensions, and cutting-edge technologies for applications such as electronic monitoring. FISH’s team of experts brings decades of applied experience and is well-equipped to tackle complex marine challenges, offering a comprehensive suite of services designed to address the most pressing issues facing the world’s oceans. With a track record of excellence, we stand at the forefront of the industry, continuously innovating to advance sustainable solutions for marine conservation and management.
Our Employees are what makes us great! We work hard to help you advance your career and we continuously evaluate the compensation, benefits, and opportunities we provide you for professional and personal growth because our success depends on you! FISH’s benefits include the following:
- Comprehensive healthcare for the employee
- Healthcare benefit covers medical, with optional coverage for prescription drug, dental, and vision
- Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
- Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- Short- term disability insurance
- Long- term care insurance
- Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
- Lifestyle benefits including access to financial planning, as well as discounted rates on services and memberships such as AAA
- Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
- Personalized career growth plans for every employee
FISH is an E-Verify employer.
* This position is advertised through our joint venture, FISH and Lynker Ocean Alliance Team (FLOAT), a partnership between Lynker and Fisheries Immersed Sciences Hawaii (FISH) serving the NOAA ProTech Fisheries 2.0 IDIQ contracting vehicle.
FISH is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.
Apply For This Position
To apply, please email your resume and current contact information to
gofish@fishinc.com attention Josee Vincent.
